Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-05-27
4 PETTED BURGLAR.
The Sunny Life OF Charles Blake
In NeW.Castle Hail.

In NeW-tGstte bhtl.
A Wilmington (Del.) special OF May oath
saws Charles Blake, a noted Philadelphia
burglar. was released from New.C istle
Jail Last evening, after serving a sentence OF
three years for housebreaking and rob.
heTy. Blake was o large, well-pro'
poitioned fellow, OF pleasing manners. and
pleasing conversatIonalist. he seemed
Wholly irresistible to the women With
whom he came in contact during bis trial
snd imprisonment, and while he was m
CarcCrattd bis life WIS most romantic.
Though it was known that he was a nogO-
rious crook, after his conviction Il bogus
sister IN the person OF 4 petite and comely
Young woman made an earnest appeal to
Governor Stockley TO have the corporal
punishmept-lhirtYi iasbes aud an hour in
the pilOrv -Temitted. She pleaded on her
knees before the tender-hearted Governor,
and he took from the courts sentence the
public punishment.
The woman came and went TO and from
the jail, carrying bun delicacies and
flowers, or amentS for his cell, bric.d.brdC.
furniture. and carpets, until the prisoner
seemed ike petted bird 10 gilded cage.
lie ate the best OF food ana his cigars were
the envy OF his keepers.
and the opportunity presented itself for his
escape. another woman furnishing him with
a set OF keys that gave him liberty. lie
came TO this city, where be remained IN
hiding two DAYS, when he was appre-
hcndcd by the police and returned to his
luxurious cell.
While here he sought the ,pclusiOn OF the
house Of another woman adnirer, whose
husband was member OF The police force,
but her iniatuatiOn for the iail-bird pro-
tected him until he got drunk and reck-
lessly showed himself To the policeman.
His alleged sister, displeased at the un-
iaitbfulness Of his act in escaping and not
coming TO ber for protection, discarded
him in part, but left hun IN the possession
OF the furnishings of his cell.
Miss GuSsle Turner, of Philadelphia, in
going through the Jail Oh tour of curious
inspectiOn one afternoon, was attrac ed TO
Blake. and they talked awhile together. II
was quite evident that she, too, was inflt.
ualed with the prisoner, and she came
again and again, bringing flowers and
fruits. she took up her home IN New Cas-
tie, and had BlakC's meals served from one
OF the hotels until she became tiresome to
the officials.
one evening she induced MayOr Black to
enter the jail with her, and upon reaching
Blake's cell she insisted upon 4 marriage
ceremony being performed. and the good
natuTed mayor complied with her request,
and the two were married.
One day, after a visit from the wife,
Blake and another prisoner were taking
their exercise in the jail yard. WOrkmen
had left quantity Of long, heavy timber,
which they had been Using In repairs.
These showed Blake a way TO freedom,
and lest his fellow. convict should apprise
the keeper Of his escape be cOmmInded
him 10 Join in the fight. 70 escape re-
quIred the ascent CT the twenty foot wall
and a leap from It's top to the other side.
Blake forced his companion TO do the daring
feat, and he followed, making daring
dash, and both landed safely.
Ii was quite dark when they escaped, and
procuring clothes ard money from some
outside source, presumably from the new
Mrs, Blake. they were soon en route for
oxford. They travelled all night and lay
In the woods by day, and had Just about
reached their destination when police.
man from Wilmington in pursuit routed
them fiom their hiding.
THE COMPANION, seeing escape impossi-
bic, at once surrendered. Blake defled the
official. He gathered an armful OF stones
and took stand, bombarding the officer aS
he advanced. The officer, in self-defence,
pulled his revolver and fired, the bullet
striking the fugltiye's foot, penetrating the
instep. Blake fell, and even aftel receiving
the wound was taken with difficulty. The
wound was OF serious nature, and only
through the careful attention OF the jail
physician was the foot saved.
JIpon beipg returned TO the Jail Blake
was put in another cell, dlyested OF all fur
pituTe save a mattress, and for long time
he was kept in chains. No one was per-
mitted TO see him, and the door Of the cell
was kept locked. His wife, however, In
sisted upon taxing advantage OF the rules
OF the institution and her persistent appli-
cations were finally successful, though after
ward they were only allowed 10 talk through
a crack IN the door.
When he was released last evening he
walked out with his wife triumphaatly,
afier leaving various messages to be de-
hyered to his fair admirers.
Blake was the shrewdest, most adroit man
ever incareerated In the New Castle Jail.
respiie bis. treachery be would insinuate
would apprise them Of any disorder or pro-
. rosed deliveries, and when their attention
was diverted from himself he would make
dash for escape. Upon his body are scars
made by twelve bullets which he has re-
ceIyed at various times while pursuing his
career as burglar, and while some Of them
were very serious HIS vigorous constitution
thew cf the effects Of the balls entircIy.